Rehab Associates Ltd is a therapist led and therapist run independent provider of Rehabilitation and Expert Witness services.
We provide best Expert Witness services in Personal Injury & Medical Negligence cases in the following areas:
We receive instructions from Claimant’s and Defendant’s lawyers as well as joint instructions for the following reports:
Mr. Apurba Chakraborty, MSc, PGDip (Rehab), BOT, OTR(USA), HCPCReg(UK)
Occupational Therapy & Care Consultant/ Director
Mr Apurba Chakraborty is a lead clinician in the area of brain/spinal and neurological rehabilitation in the NHS. He regularly assists the courts as an expert witness in cases of catastrophic personal injury and medical negligence for care, occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Apurba is an APIL 1st tier Expert Witness. In addition to the High Courts in the UK, Apurba has been appointed as an expert for courts in Ireland, USA and Australia. He has experience of assessing personal injury claimants throughout the UK and abroad (Europe and India). He is frequently invited by multi-national law firms to contribute to CPD on matters related to rehabilitation.
Ms Ashleigh Knowles, MSc, PGDip (Neuro) MCSP, SRP
Consultant Physiotherapist in Neurological Rehabilitation
Ashleigh is a Lead Clinician in neuro-rehabilitation in the NHS and independent sector with expertise in Brain and spinal injuries.
Ashleigh is responsible for leading and providing highly specialist assessment, treatment and management of clients with diverse complex neuro-disability in the community. She offers a region-wide, and beyond, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) service. Ashleigh provides clinical leadership for an inter-disciplinary team that includes clinical management of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and specialist nurses.
Ashleigh chairs the NHS Greater Manchester Community Neuro-rehabilitation Network. She is an AHP Member of the NHS Neurological Conditions Steering Group Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria Strategic Clinical Networks & Senate. She is the AHP representative on the NHS Major Trauma subgroup. She is an active member of the NHS Clinical Leaders Network.
Ms Sarah Bradbury, BSc, MCSP
Physiotherapy Consultant in Amputee Rehabilitation
Sarah a lead clinician in the NHS and runs the regional amputee physiotherapy NHS service in Manchester. She leads rehabilitation of the most complex as well as highly active amputees using range of prostheses, including the most advanced prosthesis. Sarah has worked in the NHS and the independent sector and provides Physiotherapy expert reports for amputee and complex musculoskeletal injuries.
Sarah has extensive experience in service development and leading teams in a large regional amputee rehabilitation centre offering services to the wider Greater Manchester region.
Working closely with Prosthetists and Orthotists using the most advanced Prosthetic limbs and gait analysis skills.
Dr Richard Clarke, PhD
Consultant Neuropsychologist
Richard is an expert in the area of neuropsychology and Brain injury rehabilitation. He has several years’ experience as a consultant neuro-psychologist in the NHS and in the independent sector for people with brain injury as well as undertakes assessment for personal injury cases, occupational health and vocational rehabilitation. He now provides assessment and treatment as an independent practitioner and travels across the country. He is instructed by Defendant and Claimant’s Solicitors for brain injury and other psychological injury cases.
Richard has decades of experience of working in an MDT and close network with Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and other Allied and medical clinicians.
Richard has experience in supervision and training of neuropsychologists and leading teams.
Dr Bhaskar Basu, MBBS, DipOrtho, MRCS, FRCP
Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine
Bhaskar is a Consultant Physician in Rehabilitation Medicine and Clinical Lead for Acute Trauma Rehabilitation Consultant in Amputee Rehabilitation; University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM). He is a Consultant in Neurorehabilitation – Trafford General Hospital INRU (Central Manchester Foundation Trust). He is an executive committee member of BSRM (British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine), Member of BSRM Major Trauma Core Group, Member of SIGAM BSRM (Special Interest Group- Amputee medicine), Member of the National Clinical Guideline Development Group (GDG) for Trauma Service Delivery (NCGC | National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE | Royal College of Physicians) 2014-2015, Published in Feb 2016.
Dr Melanie Stephens, PhD, RGN, BSc, MA, PGCE
Nursing and Care expert
Melanie is a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Lead for Interprofessional Education, the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences. She is a Full Member of Centre for Advances in Interprofessional Education (United Kingdom, September 2015). She is an External Examiner for Burns and Plastics Modules at the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Melanie has vast clinical and care experience of patients with various medical and surgical conditions, including Burns and Plastic, Oncology, Surgical and medical condition. She is widely accepted as an expert in tissue viability. Melanie prepares Nursing liability reports as well as Care reports dealing with complex nursing issues.
Ms Catherine Davies, BSc (Speech and Language Therapy)
Speech and Language Therapy consultant
Catherine is a Brain injury communication specialist. She is a senior clinician in the NHS assessing and treating communication and dysphagia for people with neurological conditions, particularly, with Brain injury. She is fully trained in SMART assessment for patients in low awareness states following severe Brian/spinal injury. Catherine advises and trains clients, families and carers in the use of aids and assistive-technology for communications. She has extensive experience of working in the multi-disciplinary team to achieve the best outcome for her clients with communication impairments. Her work with family and carers is particularly recognised by her colleagues as well as the service users.
Catherine has a pleasing demeanour and develops rapport easily.
Mrs Samantha Alfatti, BSc (OT), HCPC Reg.
Specialist Occupational Therapy and Care expert
Samantha has extensive experience and specialisation in the area of Neurological and Physical rehabilitation. She has worked as senior clinician in several areas in the UK. She has particular experience in Cognitive rehabilitation and upper limb functional limitations. She has skills and experience in impairment and disability related outcome measures, setting goals and rehabilitation programs to achieve greater outcomes in daily and lifestyle activities. She has facilitated return to work for clients with neurological conditions. She is very adaptable, has a problem-solving approach and is well regarded amongst fellow professionals. Samantha prepares Care and OT reports in wide range of conditions, including, neurological, medical and surgical cases as well as loss of service reports on fata cases.
Ms Natanya Hedges, BSc (OT), HCPC Reg.
Specialist Occupational Therapist and Care expert
Natanya is a senior Occupational Therapist with experience in rehabilitation of patients with complex disability, including amputation and complex injuries. She has ‘hands on’ experience of rehabilitation of patients with physical, cognitive and psychological impairments and disability.
She also has experience in rehabilitation and care assessment of patients with orthopaedic, medical and surgical condition and complications, including amputees. She has worked in the NHS as a senior clinician. Natanya prepares Care and OT report in various medical and surgical and complex injury cases.
Mrs Elizabeth Edwards, DipCOT, MRCOT, HCPC Reg
Care & Occupational Therapy Consultant
Elizabeth has over 34 years experience as an Occupational Therapist assessing functional skills, disability and care needs. She has experience of working in the areas of general and elderly rehabilitation, medical and surgical rehabilitation including amputee rehabilitation. Elizabeth also has experience of working with children with disability, working closely with parents and educators to promote sensory-motor development and overall developmental milestones. Elizabeth has provided cardiac rehabilitation and provided and supervised services in dayhospital setting for rehabilitation of persons with neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s Disease.
As a Lead Therapist she has had the responsibility of care and rehabilitation including delivering a high-quality therapy service across medical wards and the Macmillan Palliative Care Unit, with diverse clinical needs with many complex patients requiring creative solutions for discharge and family/carer support.
In 2015 Elizabeth completed the Practitioners Certificate in Neuro Linguistic Programming and the techniques have been instrumental in helping her to develop effective ways of communicating.
Ms Balvir Kaur, BSc (Hons), MRCOT
Care & Occupational Therapy Consultant
Ms Kaur qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2005 and started her career, working in an acute setting with various rotational posts, including, working in trauma and orthopaedics, cardiology, vascular surgery and medicine, musculoskeletal trauma/injuries, elderly care and rehabilitation, conducted neurological assessments and screening and worked with complex conditions such as Brain Tumor, Stroke, MS, PD, MND, Brain Injury and Dementia.
Ms Kaur progressed on to working within the Local Authority with adults with disability in the community providing assessment and treatment care plans for rehabilitation, working with reenablement, equipment, minor/major adaptations, blue badge assessments.
Ms Kaur has worked in a Specialist Brain Injury Unit, has knowledge and skills of working with individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, that impacts on their quality of life. She has the ability to manage complex cases, provide focused assessments rehabilitation, implement effective use of memory strategies, focus on inattention and neglect and implement client specific treatment plans; whilst providing neuro orientated interventions, undertaking a key worker role, family liaison, co-ordinating Meetings, risk assessments and safety discharge planning.
Ms Abby Fisher, BA (Hons), PGDip (OT), MRCOT
Care & Occupational Therapy Consultant
Ms Fisher is a state registered Occupational Therapist with over 20 years post-graduate clinical and leadership experience in the rehabilitation of people with disability. Ms Fisher has expert level skills in assessment of functional abilities and limitations, particularly for persons who have suffered neurological injuries but across various medical and surgical conditions. She has led teams of clinicians and support workers to assess and deliver the rehabilitation and care of persons with disability, working closely with family, carers, local authority, NHS Continuing Healthcare and private care agencies. She has advanced knowledge and skills in risk assessment, moving and handling - also aids and equipment.
Along with having experience of advising other clinicians, carers and family on complex risk assessment and moving and handling - she has also created guidelines in such areas.
Ms Fisher’s clinical team has consistently met the highest national standards in Stroke rehabilitation. She has two decades of experience in formulating care and rehabilitation plans for individuals with disability arising from illness and injuries.
Ms Fisher is fully aware of and compliant with the CPR rules for the experts in medico-legal reporting.
Dr Anirban Banerjee PhD, MSc, BSc (Physiotherapy), MCSP
Musculo-skeletal Physiotherapy Consultant
Anirban is an MSK Physiotherapy consultant with experience as a clinical specialist and team lead within the UK and he is also a lecturer in Physiotherapy at Keele University, UK. He has extensive experience across various health settings including, UK, New Zealand, Singapore and India.
Anirban has published extensively in physiotherapy literature and collaborated with various academicians and clinicians around the world.
Anirban regularly undertakes Physiotherapy Breach of Duty as well as Condition and Prognosis report on Clinical Negligence and provides physiotherapy expert report on personal injury cases.
Mrs Nichola Hatton
Neurological Physiotherapy Consultant
Mrs Hatton is a full time clinical specialist in the NHS and an independent consultant in neurological physiotherapy with 27 years of experience working specifically within neurorehabilitation (19 years at clinical specialist level), treating patients with complex acute neurological conditions to long term neurological disability and working closely with teams in the community. Mrs Hatton has also worked as an external lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University over a number of years teaching neurophysiology and practical neurology to undergraduate physiotherapy students.
Mrs Hatton’s experience has included working with complex patients in both in-patient and outpatient settings across the spectrum of acute neurological conditions to long term neurological disability. Mrs Hatton also works as the lead specialist therapist on the stroke unit. She is the rehabilitation lead for patients with metastatic spinal cord compression and works with patients with all acquired and non-acquired and congenital neurological (including brain and spinal injuries) and vestibular conditions within an out-patient setting.
Mrs Hatton has experience of working in regional neurological rehabilitation unit as a Head Physiotherapist with responsibility for treatment and rehabilitation of complex neurological patients with head injuries, spinal conditions and a wide range of neurological conditions being referred from the tertiary centres across Greater Manchester area.
Mrs Hatton has completed a Master’s degree alongside working full time, also completing a published research project. She has completed a wide range of post graduate courses and consolidates her learning primarily by teaching others and taking any available opportunities to expand her experience.
Mr Andrew Williams Ba (Hons 3rd), BSc(Hons 2:1)
Musculo-Skeletal Physiotherapy Consultant
Andrew has extensive experience in the field of MSK. He has been involved in the assessment and management of complex patients for many years in both the NHS and with private providers. This involved upper, lower limb and spinal clinics, referring for MRI, Xray, USS, blood tests and EMG and interpreting the results/images and managing patients including injection therapy and onward referral to lifestyle clinics, third sector organisations, physiotherapy, podiatry, secondary care and Pain Services. Also worked closely with upper/lower limb and spinal consultants in case discussion and management.
Andrew has considerable patient mileage and extensive experience of investigations and their interpretation in relation to the clinical picture.
Andrew has worked with Consultants in all MSK areas for several years gaining invaluable experience and learning. He keeps up to date with new research and applies this to practice. He places a high regard for patient focused care and shared decision making.
Andrew has been a Supervisor and Clinical Lead for many years. He has many years experience of educating staff and has been the point of contact for patient queries.
Andrew has also set up services in the NHS, A&E Physio Assessment Clinic Rochdale Infirmary and FCP Service in Milltown PCN in Oldham. This was from development through to management and auditing.
Dr Sumanta Gupta, MBBS, MSc, MRCPsych
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dr Gupta is a Consultant Psychiatrist with 14 years clinical experience as a Consultant in Psychiatry. Dr Gupta is a lead clinician treating patients with enduring mental health conditions including acute and emergency psychiatric presentation of detained patients. He is experienced in managing patients with conditions such as personality disorders, anxiety, depression and PTSD in various settings including acute in-patient as well as in the community.
Dr Gupta provided leadership, advice and support the multi-disciplinary team in delivering the mental health services and care.
Dr Gupta has been reporting as an Expert Witness for the Court for the past 12 years in medico-legal cases. He does Causation, Condition and Prognosis reports and is instructed by Claimants and Defendant’s Solicitors in both personal injury and medical negligence claims. He also does Capacity Assessment reports and Fitness to Practice reports. He has given oral evidence in Court as well.
Eoin Walker, BSc Paramedic Science, MSc Critical Care
Expert Paramedic Practitioner
Eoin is an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner delivering advanced medical interventions to the critically ill or injured. This involves delivering cardiac interventions such as cardioversion and ultrasound to critical care patients. He also delivers surgical skills, sedation of acute behavioural disturbance and clinical oversight and leadership with other colleagues.
Eoin is Trauma Lead for World Extreme Medicine where he designs and runs domestic and international prehospital and expedition courses. These courses set the foundation of robust trauma care in urbanised and rural locations.
Eoin is on the UK International Trauma Register which has involved completing the predeparture, basic and advanced UN safety and International Federation of Red Cross safety courses. Eoin is equipped to respond and work on behalf of the Department of Health to any global health crisis. It also involves being available to respond to any global humanitarian crises as a pre-hospital clinician alongside a multi-disciplinary team.
Eoin teaches and leads a first year MSc module in humanitarian and expedition trauma care on the Extreme Medicine MSc at the University of Exeter.
He is also a Consultant for World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) as a lecturer and has delivered training across the Middle East and North Africa since 2013.
In addition Eoin is the curator and presenter of the successful Pre-Hospital Care Podcast which is now into its second season. It has received positive national and international feedback with over 15,000 downloads.
Mr Steven Purcell
Consultant Prosthetist
Mr Purcell has over 25 years of clinical experience as a Prosthetist and is a Clinical Lead Prosthetist at the Specialist Ability Centre in Manchester. He is responsible for a large team of clinicians and the care of over 2,500 prosthetic patients including his own direct caseload of approx. 300 patients. Clinically, Mr Purcell specialises in prosthetic provision for all levels and complexities of lower limb loss/amputation.
Mr Purcell has had responsibilities wider than the Greater Manchester region working with a national provider of prosthetic services, Opcare. This has included being part of Opcare’s clinical governance group, CAD support and development group as well as an Opcare/Ortho Europe product review group. Internationally, Mr Purcell has also provided clinical and product support to one of Ortho Europe’s major partners in China.
Mr Purcell is experienced in assessment, advice and provision on the most complex prosthetic needs for amputees including prescription, provision and ongoing rehabilitation using the advanced microprocessor points. He regularly works with Amputee Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and medical colleagues within the MDT.
Mr Purcell has received training in medico-legal reporting from Bond Solon.
Ms Julie Richardson
Consultant Orthotist
Julie is a HCPC registered Prosthetist/Orthotist with a BSc(hons) in P&O and has been working as an Orthotist since qualifying from Strathclyde University in 2009.
She is currently based within the Countess of Chester Trust and is responsible for specialist paediatric clinics jointly with physiotherapists, diabetic clinics jointly with podiatry, adult with learning difficulty clinics in combination with Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and carers. She also works with Orthopaedic Consultants to assist managing complex presentations as well as with Neuro Physiotherapy teams to manage complex adult neurological conditions.
Prior to taking maternity leave in 2020, Julie was a Senior Orthotist for the Trust and was also Complaint Resolution Manager for the Northern clinics. She was a student/graduate mentor and provided training to other healthcare professionals for the Trust.
Julie also has experience of schools-based paediatric orthotic services including specialised schools for children with complex needs, working with both inpatient and outpatient rehab teams at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and dealing with complex presentations such as Spina Bifida and genetic conditions not commonly seen in the UK. Julie has covered a variety of roles including specialist clinics in Paediatrics, Rheumatology, Diabetic footcare and CVA/head injury.
Julie has additional skills/training with the following: Jobskin/Allard/ DMO lycra garment training; Boston Brace scoliosis training; Elaine Owens Paediatric gait analysis and orthotic management; Neuromuscular Gait Analysis training; MSK foot and ankle course.
Ms Hayley Edginton
Podiatrist
Ms Edginton recently joined the Podiatry teaching staff at the University of Salford to impart the knowledge and clinical skills that she has gained after 21 years working as an experienced clinician for the National Health Service in South Manchester. Here she was working as an autonomous practitioner, responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with highly complex high risk foot conditions, with clinical and podiatric problems that put them at risk of lower limb infection, ulceration and limb loss.
Ms Edginton’s time was divided between the Rheumatology service, which she was heavily involved in developing, and the High Risk Foot Service. Diabetic foot ulcers were by far the most common complex condition routinely treated in the High Risk Foot Clinic. As an experienced, Advanced clinician, she was responsible for the day to day clinical provision of all aspects of high risk foot & long term condition care within the Podiatry Department; acting as a source of guidance and specialist advice on high risk & long term condition foot problems. Hayley’s responsibilities included: creating a management plan for a caseload of patients from a variety of referral sources - diagnosing, treating to discharge or follow up, and working as a valued member of the multidisciplinary team. Here it was particularly important to co-ordinate care with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the management of any infection, revascularisation procedures where indicated, and off-loading, debridement and wound care as indicated. Assessments would routinely include x-rays, ultrasound and MRI scans, prescriptions and blood tests to enable a co-ordinated treatment plan to be made.
